Events

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All meetings and events are open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Monthly meetings are typically the 3rd Saturday of each month. Click any event to view details.

Each meeting has a Trade Item. This is an opportunity to push yourself outside your comfort zone and try something new! The host of each meeting determines the trade item theme, which is included in the event details. Bring a finished piece you are proud of and include it on the table with other member's pieces. After the meeting, members draw numbers to determine who gets which piece on the table.

Each meeting has a 50/50 drawing. To be eligible to win the drawing, you must be an active member, present the previous meeting + current meeting, and have contributed your buck at each of those meetings.

We strive to provide a demonstration of a skill or project along with a hammer-in, where members bringing their own projects to work on in the company of other smiths, at every meeting.

Some members bring their own portable forging setup and tools while others use what is provided by the meeting host.

Our members are always eager to share their knowledge and skill with others.

If you bring children to the meeting, they will be under your supervision, or that of a responsible adult. If they are handling materials or doing ANY work around the shop, they must have appropriate SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THERE IS HOT METAL, SPARKS, AND FIRE PRESENT.

Calendar

Common meeting locations of Free State Blacksmithing Club

Upcoming events

FSBC February 2026 Meeting/Hammer-In

Saturday, Feb 21st

9am - 3pm

Meeting and hammer-in at Andy Martin's shop in Paola, KS.

Members can bring their own equipment or use equipment available at the shop to work on any personal projects during the hammer-in. Hammer-in typically goes until lunch. Meeting typically follows lunch.

Trade Item: A nice forged door handle with back plate. No welding.

Lunch will be Simple Simon's Pizza or going to a restaurant a few blocks away, so bring some funds to contribute.

Demo: TBD

All meetings and events are open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

FSBC March 2026 Meeting/Hammer-In

Saturday, Mar 21st

9am - 3pm

Meeting and hammer-in at Rick Norland's shop in Paola, KS.

Members can bring their own equipment or use equipment available at the shop to work on any personal projects during the hammer-in. Hammer-in typically goes until lunch. Meeting typically follows lunch.

Trade Item: 6-inch 1/2" square bar challenge
(For more information/inspiration, visit https://orieldavies.org/whats-on/artist-blacksmithing-the-150mm-challenge)

Lunch: Stone Soup

Demo: TBD

All meetings and events are open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

FSBC April 2026 Meeting/Hammer-In

Saturday, April 18th

9am - 3pm

Meeting and hammer-in at Greg Reed's shop in Mayetta, KS.

Members can bring their own equipment or use equipment available at the shop to work on any personal projects during the hammer-in. Hammer-in typically goes until lunch. Meeting typically follows lunch.

Trade Item: TBD

Lunch: TBD

Demo: TBD

All meetings and events are open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

Past events

FSBC November 2025 Meeting/Hammer-In

Meeting and hammer-in was at Harley Davidson's in Paola, KS on November 15th.

Trade Item was something made from an old farm implement.

We enjoyed Harley's delicious ham & beans with homemade cornbread for lunch.

We had some new beginner smiths in attendance so there was a lot of instruction taking place again during the hammer-in. It's always great to see new people taking interest in this craft!

FSBC December 2025 Meeting/Hammer-In

Meeting and hammer-in was at Daniel Yoka's shop, 3 Trails Forge, in Independence, MO on December 20th.

Trade Item was something made from spring steel.

Daniel made a delicious batch of chili as well as homemade cornbread and cinnamon rolls for lunch.

FSBC January 2026 Meeting/Hammer-In

Meeting and hammer-in was at Walt Hull's shop in Lawrence, KS on Jan 17th

Trade Item was a candle sconce and we had an excellent turnout!

Walt provided a demonstration on making a gate hinge tenon sufficient for supporting the load of a large gate.